Thousand Oaks community mourns mass shooting victims at vigil

MOURNING THOSE LOST: "We're Thousand Oaks strong tonight." Hundreds of members of this tight-knit community gathered at a vigil for the 12 people who lost their lives in a mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (KGO-TV)

Hundreds of members of the tight-knit community gathered, lighting their candles, holding hands, embracing each other, their heads bowed in prayer - all to support the city that, at one point, was named one of the safest cities in America.

The tragic turn of events at the Borderline Bar and Grill Wednesday night is almost too much to bear. Thirteen dead, including the suspected shooter, who opened fire on revelers at a country western college event.

"I just started hearing these big pops," said one survivor. "Pop, pop, pop. There was probably three or four. I hit the ground and I look up, the security guard's dead."

That security guard, Sean Adler, who is to many, like Karen Cormier, a dear friend.

"I've also learned of other people that I know that were involved it's devastating. This is Thousand Oaks. This is middle America. This is - It just shouldn't happen here. It shouldn't happen anywhere," Cormier said.